TradeMe Seller Question: Providing contact details to view item before bidding

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Kiwi1971

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#108508 30-Aug-2012 15:19

My friend is selling something on TM that a bidder would like to try for size before bidding, however she cannot work out a way to provide contact details to the bidder without breaking TM's rules about providing personal information to buyers outside of their site.

She was previously warned once after providing an email address in an answer to a question.

How do people normally do this, surely there are a lot of things that people would like to physically inspect before spending money on it.

Thanks.

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#679301 30-Aug-2012 15:27

I just provide a cellphone number, but I know it's not allowed. You could try asking trademe?

xpd

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#679302 30-Aug-2012 15:27

Ive generally got around that by giving my email/phone, but clearly stated "purchase must be completed via TM" (and ensure it is completed by TM) but think it just depends if someone complains or one of the TM staff notice and are in a bad mood ;)

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ajobbins

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#679310 30-Aug-2012 15:39

It's against the rules because despite what people say in the auctions, many do end up selling outside of the auction process. Once you have someone there, it's easier to complete there and then rather than make them go away and bid and then come back.

Trade Me would then not make any money on the sale and therefore it would hurt their business if they did allow this practise.

Onus is on the seller to accurately and honestly describe the item so there is no surprises for the buyer.

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#679314 30-Aug-2012 15:47

Not allowed. You can beg them till the cows come home but it won't change.

Geekzone can't help either

mattwnz

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#679316 30-Aug-2012 15:50

Kiwi1971: My friend is selling something on TM that a bidder would like to try for size before bidding, however she cannot work out a way to provide contact details to the bidder without breaking TM's rules about providing? personal information to buyers outside of their site.

She was previously warned once after providing an email address in an answer to a question.

How do people normally do this, surely there are a lot of things that people would like to physically inspect before spending money on it.

Thanks.

For auctions you can't. You could be best to let them buy it, then let them try it on when they pick it up. And if it doesn't fit, to give them a refund less success fee. I think in that case you maybe able to apply to trademe for a refund of the success fee.

Talkiet

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#679338 30-Aug-2012 16:24

Trademe are interested in making sure they get their success fee for the auctions, not in the buyer getting exactly what they thought... That's up to the seller to help with by providing the best description possible.

It sucks, and it means TM isn't suitable for selling a lot of stuff, but tough, it's their rules.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

Hiamie

354 posts

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#679339 30-Aug-2012 16:24

xpd: Ive generally got around that by giving my email/phone, but clearly stated "purchase must be completed via TM" (and ensure it is completed by TM) but think it just depends if someone complains or one of the TM staff notice and are in a bad mood ;)

+1

This is exactly what have done in the past, and I haven't had any problems... yet!

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ajobbins

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#679344 30-Aug-2012 16:29

There really is no better way this can be done. Trade Me are providing the platform and can't be expected to do that for free.

It's not ideal for some items - but it's the best model overall.

There are exceptions (Eg. houses and cars) where you are paying a fixed listing fee rather than a success fee.

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mattwnz

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#679346 30-Aug-2012 16:31

Hiamie:
xpd: Ive generally got around that by giving my email/phone, but clearly stated "purchase must be completed via TM" (and ensure it is completed by TM) but think it just depends if someone complains or one of the TM staff notice and are in a bad mood ;)

+1

This is exactly what have done in the past, and I haven't had any problems... yet!

I think that still breaks their terms. I don't think it is worth the risk of losing the account, for one single trader who wants to check something out first. If you have something like a property listed, people looking at your auctions will often get your phone number from that, which can be a pain too, as many will try to phone you and offer a cash price. I am sure trademe loses quite a bit of commission due to that loophole. The trademe website must be due for an update soon I would have thought, the sites looking very dated, and they maybe able to improve some of these deficiencies. It is still the best place to sell most things online in NZ.

clevedon

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#679646 31-Aug-2012 11:35

As a seller, in the questions and answer section you can just say when someone asks to view an item " I can't leave my contact details, but I can't stop you leaving yours" I've seen it happen plenty of times.

stevenz

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#679649 31-Aug-2012 11:40

People need to remember, Trade Me is an auction site, not a buy/swap & sell site. So many people can't grasp this simple auction, as noted by the fact that damn near every auction for an even remotely popular item will have muppets asking "Buy Now?" on things, usually after reserve has been met.

Except for big-ticket items (vehicles/houses etc) which explicitly have an option to enter contact details, then you're playing with fire as to whether or not one of TM's moderators is having a bad day and decides to give you a hard time for hiding contact details in the auction comments.

If it appears that you're working within the spirit of things, I'd say they generally turn a blind eye, but if you have contact details and then suddenly pull an auction, they might take a closer look at you.

@KnightNZ

grant_k

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#679660 31-Aug-2012 11:52

ajobbins: It's against the rules because despite what people say in the auctions, many do end up selling outside of the auction process. Once you have someone there, it's easier to complete there and then rather than make them go away and bid and then come back.

Trade Me would then not make any money on the sale and therefore it would hurt their business if they did allow this practise.

Onus is on the seller to accurately and honestly describe the item so there is no surprises for the buyer.

In many cases, it's very hard to describe something accurately enough simply with words and two dimensional photos. People want to eyeball it before committing to buying.

In a couple of cases like that where people have come to inspect the goods, and decided to buy on the spot, I have waited until they got home and then put up a Buy Now at the agreed price. The buyer clicks on it, Trade Me get their commission and everybody is happy.

martyyn

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#679665 31-Aug-2012 11:58

There are plenty of sellers who have a classified ad which allows them to leave their contact details.

That of course can then be found in their 'sellers other listings' section.

Kiwi1971

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#679667 31-Aug-2012 12:01

Thanks for the replies. In the end the "buyer" asked her a question and included his email address in a broken form that wasn't picked up.

If a buyer came round to try for size, closer inspection etc and wanted it on the spot, I guess you could let them log into TradeMe on your PC or tablet if they didn't have the mobile app to do it and click Buy Now, pay and go.

Also if you negotiated a lower price and there were no bids, you could reduce the listing price accordingly before they clicked buy now as long as nobody jumped in before they completed.

ajobbins

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#679708 31-Aug-2012 12:56

grant_k: In many cases, it's very hard to describe something accurately enough simply with words and two dimensional photos. People want to eyeball it before committing to buying.

In a couple of cases like that where people have come to inspect the goods, and decided to buy on the spot, I have waited until they got home and then put up a Buy Now at the agreed price. The buyer clicks on it, Trade Me get their commission and everybody is happy.

In that case, an Internet auction probably isn't the right forum to sell the item.

Even if you do as you mention above, it's not fair on other bidders who haven't had the opportunity to view the item. They then complain (and rightly so). It's in order to create a level playing field for all parties.

Also, there are a lot of people who will simply withdraw the action and not pay the fee (Instead paying a much lower withdrawal fee). Sadly, the 'honesty' system around that approach doesn't work in the majority of instances.

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